Trial for woman charged with killing her boyfriend in South Whittier continues

NORWALK - Trial continued Thursday for a Fontana woman accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend in the South Whittier apartment they shared more than three years ago.

Michelle Pacheco, 29, has been charged with the Nov. 27, 2009, death of 29-year-old Sean Casillas in the 14300 block of Mulberry Drive, just east of Mills Avenue, in an unincorporated area south of Whittier.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in 2010 initially declined to file charges against Pacheco.

Pacheco claimed she stabbed Casillas in self-defense when he became aggressive toward her while he was drunk, according to Lt. Dave Dolson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau.

Casillas, who was stabbed in the chest with a steak knife, was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center where he died a short time later.

Only Pacheco, Casillas and Pacheco's then-5-year-old daughter were present when the stabbing took place, detectives said.

But the investigation continued, spurred by a request from Casillas' mother to review the case.

Pacheco's account of events was vague at times, and seemed to be lacking some information, Dolson said.

Detectives arrested her Feb. 17, 2011, in Fontana where she moved following Casillas' death.

She was charged with murder as well as the special allegation that she personally used a knife in the killing.

Melinda Casillas lived in an apartment in the same complex as her son for three years. On Nov. 27, 2009, she said Pacheco called her. She was told her son was bleeding and needed to be taken to the hospital.

Melinda Casillas is expected to take the stand today.

According to county booking records, Pacheco was being held in lieu of $1.02 million bail as the trial continues.